Massage Therapy Services: Greater Victoria & Westshore, B.C.

Our Staff:

TRISH TRUMPER, RMT (Registered Massage Therapist):

Trish has been practicing for fourteen years, primarily in the Westshore. She is an advisor to Full Balance Fitness and has also been instructing at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy here in Victoria for the past three years.

CATHERINE PATTERSON, RMT (Registered Massage Therapist):

Catherine is a recent graduate of the West Coast College of Massage Therapy. She works with all demographics but especially enjoys working with the elderly and special needs patients. This includes those who have experienced a stroke, head or spinal cord injury, those who live with Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, AIDS and Fibromyalgia. Catherine is also pleased to accept walk-in clients.

About Massage:

The ancient Greeks used massage on athletes before and after sport. It was thought to prepare the muscles before activity and remove extra fluid and metabolites after sport, a theory which is still in use today.

There is often a cycle of pain that begins with tissue ischemia. (reduced local circulation) Ischemia can result from sustained muscle contraction or fascial restriction. This reduces the blood flow and oxygen to the tissues in the constricted area, resulting in pain.

Massage can break the pain cycle and eliminate the original source of pain by increasing blood flow in the veins and lymphatics. Improving range of motion of the affected joints and treating trigger points further break the pain cycle. A feeling of well being, which usually accompanies massage, reduces pain perception even more.

Massage can alter the processing of pain stimuli in the Central Nervous System. Massage also affects blood flow through the local release of vasodilators.

Benefits of Massage Therapy:

• increases local blood circulation
• increases lymphatic drainage
• increases relaxation and general well being
• improves sleep
• stimulates cell metabolism and healing and supports immune function
• decreases muscle spasm and pain
• decreases muscle tension
• aids in the prevention of repetitive strain injuries
• promotes greater flexibility and range of motion